Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Air fryer potato cubes are a quick and delicious side dish. They are super easy to make and baking them in the air fryer gives them the satisfying crunch that is so good. These potato cubes are versatile and healthier alternatives to traditional fried potatoes. They are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner served alongside this juicy whole roast chicken. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce!
In this blog post, you will learn how to make air fryer potato cubes.
How to Make Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Using your peeler, peel your large potatoes or leave the skin on (of any potato variety, I prefer Rooster potatoes) and rinse them off in the sink. Then, dice them on your chopping board into small bite sized pieces. Put all of the diced potato cubes into a large bowl and pour the olive oil over the potatoes making sure to coat the diced potato cubes evenly. Take half of your sweet paprika, salt, and pepper and sprinkle them over the cubes.
Mix the cubes around with a silicone spatula and then sprinkle the rest of the spices on top for a nice even coating.
Place the potato cubes into the air fryer and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, stir them around then insert them again for another 20 minutes. It is best to stir/shake them around about halfway through the cooking time so that you have evenly crisped cubes.
Sprinkle some extra sea salt and vinegar onto them for delicious salt and vinegar potatoes.
Serve and enjoy! If you enjoy potato recipes, try my oven roasted potatoes or my creamy mashed potatoes.
Why Make Your Potato Cubes in the Air Fryer?
Air fryer potato cubes are a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that perfectly balances crispy exteriors with tender, fluffy interiors. Made by tossing cubed potatoes, like Yukon Gold, Russet, or Rooster potatoes, in a light coating of olive oil and seasoning with spices such as sweet paprika, salt, and black pepper, these cubes are then air-fried to golden perfection. The air fryer’s rapid circulation of hot air ensures even cooking with minimal oil, making this dish a healthier alternative to traditional fried potatoes. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, air fryer potato cubes are a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.
Best Potatoes to Use
The best potatoes to use are the ones that strike a balance between crispiness and fluffiness. The top choices I have listed below for you.
- Yukon Gold
- Russet Potatoes
- Red Potatoes
- Fingerling Potatoes
- Rooster Potatoes
For the best results, Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes are generally the top choices due to their ability to crisp up well while offering a satisfying, tender bite inside. However, I do have a favourite with the Rooster potatoes.
Storage
Potato cubes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To reheat, use the air fryer again and fry them at 350℉/175℃ for 5-10 minutes.
They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them back into the air fryer for 20-25 minutes at 320℉/160℃ to enjoy them again!
Ingredients
Cubed Potatoes: cubed potatoes are the star ingredient of this side dish. Cutting them into even and uniform cubes allows for even crisping in the air fryer. Do not overcrowd as this can delay the cooking time.
Olive Oil: olive oil lightly coats the potato cubes and allows the spices to stick to the cubes. While you do not need oil in an air fryer, a little bit of oil added to the potatoes allows them to crisp up much better than if no oil was used.
Sweet Paprika: sweet paprika adds a sweet and smoky flavour to the potato cubes.
Salt: salt is essential to season the potatoes.
Black Pepper: black pepper adds extra seasoning.
Tips
- Try leaving the skin on the potatoes. Just make sure to wash the potatoes first before dicing.
- Use starchy or all-purpose potatoes like Yukon Gold, Russet, or Rooster for the best balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
- Cut the potatoes into even-sized cubes to ensure they cook evenly in the air fryer. Aim for about 1-inch cubes for the best texture.
- Add your preferred spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or sweet paprika, before air frying. Seasoning before cooking allows the flavours to infuse the potatoes as they cook.
- Cooking times can vary depending on the size of the cubes and the type of potato, so check for doneness by piercing a cube with a fork. It should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If you have a lot of potatoes, cook them in batches to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- For the best texture, serve the potato cubes right after cooking. If you need to keep them warm, use a low oven temperature to maintain their crispiness.
Try making my other easy air fryer recipes.
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Bagel Bites
- Air Fryer Croutons
Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Ingredients
- 8 large potatoes diced and peeled
- 5 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. sweet paprika
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Take the eight large potatoes and peel them. Once the potatoes are peeled, dice them on a cutting board into bite sized pieces.
- Place the diced potatoes into a medium bowl and pour the olive oil on top of the potatoes making sure to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the sweet paprika, salt, and pepper onto the potatoes. Mix the potatoes with a silicone spoon then sprinkle the rest of the spices on top of the potatoes making sure that the potatoes are evenly coated.
- Put the potato cubes into the air fryer at 400℉/200℃ for 40 minutes making sure to stir halfway through the baking to ensure even crispiness.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I cook potato cubes in the air fryer?
For crispy potato cubes, 400°F (200°C) is a great temperature. The high heat helps the outside become golden and crispy while keeping the inside soft and tender.
Do I need to soak potatoes before air frying?
Soaking isn’t required, but it can help remove some of the excess starch from the potatoes and result in crispier edges. If you soak them, make sure to dry them very well before seasoning and air frying.
What are the best potatoes for air fryer potato cubes?
Russet, Yukon Gold, and red potatoes all work well. Russet potatoes tend to become especially crispy, while Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery texture.
Should I peel the potatoes before air frying?
Peeling is completely optional. Leaving the skins on adds extra texture and saves time. Just wash and scrub the potatoes well before cutting them into cubes.
Why aren’t my air fryer potatoes crispy?
Overcrowding the air fryer basket can prevent the potatoes from crisping properly. Try arranging the potato cubes in a single layer and cook them in batches if needed. Drying the potatoes thoroughly before cooking also helps.
Do I need to use oil for air fryer potato cubes?
A small amount of oil helps the potatoes become golden and crispy and allows the seasonings to stick. You don’t need much, just enough to lightly coat the potato cubes.
Can I season air fryer potato cubes differently?
Absolutely! Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, rosemary, thyme, and Italian seasoning are all delicious choices. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your meal.
What can I serve with air fryer potato cubes?
Air fryer potato cubes make a delicious side dish for chicken, steak, burgers, sausages, eggs, and roasted meats. They’re also great served as part of a breakfast or brunch with eggs and bacon.